99% of war against LTTE is over, says Sri Lanka minister

The Sri Lanka government says there are only "square meters" of land still under the control of the LTTE.

Speaking at the official opening of a new building at Kundasale in Kandy, the Defence spokesperson, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, said that the security forces would capture the remaining blocks of land in the coming days.

The Minister stressed that 99% of the war against the LTTE is now over.
According to the Defence spokesperson, the main secret of the current success is the “well-planned system” of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

"The present war advancements are accurately on progression in the North," Rambukwella

Train of thought: Obama, the new Lincoln of US

Two million people have gathered in Washington D.C. for the inaugural celebration, though the actual swearing-in can accomodate only 2,40,000 people. That's two-and-a-half lakh people for just the swearing-in. But it all started a couple of days ago, when Barack Obama and family traced the historic journey by America's greatest president Abraham Lincoln by train.

“Let's make sure this election is not the end of what we do to change America, but just the beginning,” Obama said.

From Philadelphia, the train slowed down in Claymont, Delaware, where crowds cheered as he waved from the last car.

Then a stop in Wilmington to pick up his vice-president Joe Biden and wife Jill. And throughout his journey Obama spoke of his dream for America.

“Now it falls to us to ensure that everyone in this country can make it if they try. Now it falls to us to pick ourselves up, to reach for the promise of a better day and to work hard every single day, together to perfect our union once more,” Obama said.

Obama's journey, the ' whistle stop tour' is the most popular way for presidents-elect to reach out and stay connected. But when it is Obama, it is all about being different.

He chose to retrace the path Abaraham Lincoln took on his inaugural trip to Washington over a century-and-a-half ago. But Obama's journey was more symbolic.

Lincoln covered more than 2,500 kilometers while Obama was much shorter – only 220 kilometers. Lincoln took a 12-day journey across the length and breadth of the country whereas Obama's was just a one-day journey with only two stops.

The journey onboard the 80-year-old Georgia 300, now renamed the 'Obama Express', has more parallels to Lincoln than just the route. After his journey, Lincoln went ahead and abolished slavery, sparking off the American Civil War, Obama too even before his journey has started is policies against some equally tough challenges.

Usain Bolt sets world Record in Men\'s 100m Final (9.69 sec)

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Somali pirates seize three Indians, navy to take action

New Delhi, Jan 16 (IANS) Three Indians are being held hostage by Somali pirates on board a Kenyan fishing vessel in the Gulf of Aden since Jan 9, the Indian Navy said Friday while assuring that action would be taken to free them.The ship, M V Alpha Manyara, was taken over by the pirates near the Kenyan coast. It is also believed to have had Kenyan sailors on board who are said to have been released by the pirates.

“It is a fishing boat that Kenyans have been operating from Kenya. An Indian engineer, captain and sailor are on board. We will take whatever action is required to see that they are released at the earliest,” Indian Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta told reporters here.

A relative of one of the Indians being held hostage said the pirates were holding the Indians after setting free eight Kenyan sailors.

The incident comes two months after Somali pirates hijacked the Stolt Valor vessel with 22 crewmembers including 18 Indians off the Yemeni coast Sep 15. Eventually all the Indians were freed.

Navy will rescue Indian hostages: Adm. Mehta

The Navy Chief, Admiral Suresh Mehta says the Navy will take required action to release the Indian sailors being held hostage. They have been held hostage by Somali pirates after they hijacked a ship off the coast of Kenya on the 9th of this month. Admiral Suresh Mehta was talking to reporters in New Delhi on Friday morning during his visit to the NCC Parade. Asked about the number of hostages , he said three Indian's including the captain of the ship were on board. Reports say, 11 members of the crew were in the ship when it was hijacked. Except three Indian's all of them, who were Kenyans have been set free. Giving details, he said the incident took place well outside the Gulf. Admiral Mehta said that Indian ships deployed in the Gulf of Aden did not go for patrolling near the Kenyan coast. Earlier, a vessel owned by a Japanese company was released by the Somalia pirates on 16th November setting free 18 Indian sailors.

Laden back, calls for jihad against Israel

Osama Bin Laden has called for Jihad against Israel. In a 22-minute taped message, Laden also criticised Arab regimes for preventing their people who want to 'liberate Palestine'. It was not immediately clear when the message, posted on Islamist websites, was recorded, but it is dated in the current Islamic month.

"God has bestowed us with the patience to continue the path of jihad for another seven years. The question is, can America continue its war with us for several more decades to come? Reports and evidence would suggest otherwise.", Laden said.

The al-Qaeda leader, who has a $25 million bountry on his head and has been in hiding since the September 11 attacks in 2001, also said that the global financial crisis had exposed the waning influence of the United States and would in turn weaken its ally Israel.

If confirmed as genuine it would be the first such message fromthe al-Qaeda figurehead since May last year when a recording was released to coincide with Israel's 60th anniversary. However, Laden has not appeared in video footage since 2004, when he emerged days before the US election and addressed the American public. His failure to record a further video message has fuelled speculation that he is dead. If alive, he is likely to be hiding with other members of 'core' al-Qaeda in Pakistan in the lawless territory bordering Afghanistan.

Key Witness is Missing (Mumbai Attack)

Anita Rajendra Uddaiya, the first and one of the key witness who saw the landing of the ten terrorists of Mumbai Attacks from a rubber dinghy, has gone missing mysteriously from her home since Sunday.

According to Anita's daughter Seema Ketan Joshi, Anita has been missing for the past two days and was not traceable despite frantic search by the family after which they lodged a missing persons complaint with the Cuffe Parade Police station.

On Novermbe 26, 47-year old Anita was sitting on a boat at the Fisherman's Colony in Cuffe Parade when she saw the ten terrorists land on the shores. The terrorists passed by her and went up to the road from where they took tasxis to various locations. She lives in a colony of shanties, which lies close to the seashores, with her house being the first one on the approach to the coast.

Seema said that Aniat was not under any pressure and has been assisting the police in their investigation. A week earlier she was taken to the JJ Hospital to identify the bodies of the nine terrorists.

Police say they are taking the matter very seriously since Anita was a key witness and was the first and perhaps the only person to have seen all the terrorists together and from a very close distance.

Seema said Anita was likely to be taken for the identification parade of the lone surviving terrorist Ajmal Amir Qasab, now lodged in the Mumbai Central Prison, the Arther Road jail.

"We have lodged a missing person's complaint and are investigating, "said a senior police official, who refused to divulge details. A few of Anita's neighbours are also very perlexed about her disappearance.

They sad the police and officials from other agencies have been summoning her several time3s for assisting in investigations.

Israel Intensifies Attacks on Gaza Despite Diplomatic Efforts for Cease-Fire

Israel says it has inflicted serious damage on Hamas' military infrastructure but it says much more work remains to be done before it stops its offensive in Gaza. There are no signs of a let-up in the conflict, despite diplomatic efforts.

Gunfire rings in the Gaza Strip for yet another day.

Residents inside the enclave say the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday saw some of the most intense fighting since the start of the Israeli offensive 18 days ago. Israeli ground troops pushed deeper into Gaza City, pounding targets with artillery and tank fire, and what Israeli officials say were 60 air strikes between Monday and Tuesday.

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi says Israeli forces have hit Hamas hard, but he says the offensive will continue until Israel's goals are achieved. Ashkenazi says Israeli forces have inflicted damage on Hamas including its infrastructure, its government institutions and its military wing. But he says there is still much work ahead. He says his forces are working to inflict further damage on the military infrastructure and to limit the rocket fire into Israel.

The Israeli aim is to end Hamas' ability to fire rockets at its civilians in southern Israel. Tuesday, militants fired more rockets shortly after sunrise.Both sides say they are willing to consider a cease-fire, but not until their goals are achieved.

Ismail Haniyeh, appeared on television from a hideout on Monday. He said victory is at hand for Hamas, but said he is ready to negotiate a cease-fire if Israeli forces pull out of Gaza and end a blockade of its borders.Haniyeh says Hamas officials are working in diplomatic channels and are receptive toward any initiative to stop the aggression against the people in Gaza. He also says the Israeli forces should be removed immediately from Gaza and he says the border crossings should be re-opened. Palestinian medical officials say the casualties have now surpassed 900, and the humanitarian situation continues to worsen. The head of the international Red Cross entered Gaza on Tuesday. At least 13 Israelis have died in the fighting. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon is due in the region on Wednesday, to give cease-fire efforts yet another push.

Iran Urges States to cut diplomatic ties with Israel

TEHRAN, Jan. 13 2009 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Tuesday that Iran has called on world states, Arab and Islamic countries in particular, to cut their diplomatic ties with Israel to show their support for Palestinians.

Mottaki made the remarks on the sidelines of a bell-ringing ceremony at one of Tehran's schools held as a symbolic move to show support of Iranian students for their fellow students in GazaStrip, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Referring to the expulsion of Israel's ambassadors from Mauritania and Venezuela, Mottaki said other countries could do likewise as a pressure lever on Israel.

A headquarters has been established at Iran's Foreign Ministry to coordinate measures made by various Iranian ministries and organizations, including Ministry of Health and the Red Crescent Society, to support and help the people of Gaza, Mottaki said.

Palestinian medics said Monday that over 900 people had been killed and more than 4,100 others wounded, around half of them are civilians, since the beginning of Israel's military offensive on Gaza Strip on Dec. 27.

Health - Very Very Important Tips

Answer the phone by LEFT ear.

Do not drink coffee TWICE a day.

Do not take pills with COOL water.

Do not have HUGE meals after 5pm.

Reduce the amount of OILY food you consume.

Drink more WATER in the morning, less at night.

Keep your distance from hand phone CHARGERS.

Do not use headphones/earphone for LONG period of time.

Best sleeping time is from 10pm at night to 6am in the morning.

Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine before sleeping.

When battery is down to the LAST grid/bar, do not answer the phone as the radiation is 1000 times.

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